Going to a con alone?
I've never been to Anthrocon so I was wondering if it was a good place just to show up alone and hang out or if that would be awkward. Or maybe there are some good tips on how to meet and engage with people who are going prior to the convention?
Thanks!
~GC
Spending time reading the anthrocon.org forums, as well as our FAQs, will help you prepare for the con.. and get familiar with some of the people you will eventually see at the convention. Don't worry too much about posting, even lurking will help.
When you're at registration, the line (which will go a lot quicker if you pre-register ) is a good place to talk to people. A "Hi there, I'm Guttercat.. this is my first Anthrocon. What would you recommend I check out?" can be a good conversation starter.
Once you're at the con, one great way to meet people your first year is to volunteer- it sets you into a smaller subset of the son, and gives you a shared task with others. It's a good way to focus and talk to 10 people instead of 4000.
We are, as mentioned, a friendly group. Come and have fun. 
I would definitely come to the convention even if you don't know anyone who will be there.
I had given a lot of thought to going to Anthrocon ever since it started in 1997, but never came because I wasn't sure I would have a good time or know enough people to make it worthwhile. When I finally came to the con in 2002, I knew just a couple of people who would be there. Since that was the time before everyone and their mother had cell phones, I had no way to find anyone and only bumped into them by virtue of sheer luck over the course of the weekend.
Note that I did not say that I spent the convention alone! As others before me have said, it's a very friendly environment and I met plenty of new people just by virtue of volunteering some of my time, attending panels, and browsing in the dealers room and artists alley. I bumped into a number of people I had known from years earlier and who I had no idea would even be there. I had a wonderful time at that convention and I regret not attending all the way back in '97. I'm sure the same will be true for you!
So, by all means, come to the con. You might be surprised who you run into.
Be sure to attend the "So, it's your first con" panel as well!
Is that for first time con goers or specific to Anthrocon? Luckily I have had the pleasure of attending a few conventions but usually with the school comic's club. (Even was mauled by a group of cosplay fan girls once which was probably against convention rules. The whole being jumped on thing)
I haven't attended Anthrocon though.
Spending time reading the anthrocon.org forums, as well as our FAQs, will help you prepare for the con.. and get familiar with some of the people you will eventually see at the convention. Don't worry too much about posting, even lurking will help.
Once you're at the con, one great way to meet people your first year is to volunteer- it sets you into a smaller subset of the son, and gives you a shared task with others. It's a good way to focus and talk to 10 people instead of 4000.
I will definitely read up on the forums and look into volunteering.
Thanks for all the help!
GC
It's specifically intended for your first Anthrocon, but a great deal of the information applies to other furry cons, as well as conventions in general.
I'm curious now; just who were you cosplaying that caused you to me mob-glomped? XD
I'll be attending Anthrocon solo this year. I think some people I've met in the past few months may arrive, but I'm anticipating on cruising around by myself.
It'll be a bit scary at first, but furries are (usually) very warm and welcoming. You shouldn't have a problem meeting new people and mingling.
Is the mentor program happening this year?
Going to AC alone does sound really intimidating... BUT, I think that if you hang out in the game room or something similar a while (if you do game, which is likely) you'll be bound to meet someone...
Thinking way back to 1999, when I went to my first Anthrocon, I went all alone as well. It worked out pretty well for me. Here's what I learned:
- Try to get to know people online before the convention, then meet up with them at the convention.
- Volunteer. It's a great way to meet people.
- Panels. Attend those that interest you. It's a great way to meet people with similar interests.
- Dances. They're fun. Go to them.
The game room probably works, too. I don't think we had that back in '99.
Anthrocon '99 was also when I met Uncle Kage for the first time. I'll have to tell that story one of these days. *cackle*
You totally have to tell me the story of when you met Kage. Bet it was funny
He was standing around looking competent. I grabbed him and said, "I need a volunteer. Let's go."
HA!
I can so see you doing that. 
That doesn't work. That's how he got me.
Ah, but that's the difference! You merely look incompetent whereas I truly am incompetent! Or incontinent, I forget which...
In any case - when anyone in a labcoat comes bustling along at a vigourous pace, latches onto your arm and drags you off, muttering "I need a 'volunteer'...Let's go", and ESPECIALLY in a place like Philadelphia, where so much medical research goes on - it has to be unnerving (and with any luck, only figuratively speaking).
[snorts] You quit your job in order to work the con; if you were abducted for service, i think the stockholm syndrome has set in. 
You did the same thing to me before opening ceremonies in 2004!
Kage: [leans out ballroom door] Oooooh, you're a volunteer...
Me: Uh oh. o_o
That taught me never to stand at the front of the line!
Why do you think the volunteer ribbons are always made in garish, blinding see-it-from-orbit neon colors?
Great. This year I'm going to have a volunteer ribbon and a super-sponsor ribbon. I may as well just paint a target on my back.
The next step will be the staff ribbon. *mwhahaha*
RUNNN! RUN!
That's how they got me!
Go now before you catch the "Staff" infection!
Somehow I am starting to get the feeling that I could run but can't hide. They will eventually catch up to me.
I went to AC last year solo, and looks as though i'm attending this year's solo as well. Just try and have a good time no matter what; gauranteed you'll have fun.
WOOF WOOF, cuddle time now plz?
I've gone solo everytime. Mainly because my wife is not as into the fanaticism as I am. She says she wouldn't have anything to do, doesn't want to sit around waiting for me to find time for her. I don't blame her, I'm just glad she allows me to go alone.
Well, this will be my very first time attending Anthrocon and only my second con, and these are great tips to remember. I was planning to attend the "So this is your first anthrocon?" panel anyway, and then we'll just go from there.
I'm cracking up at all the responses about being volunteers and such. I wonder if my sci-fi con friends have had similar experiences.
I'm cracking up at all the responses about being volunteers and such. I wonder if my sci-fi con friends have had similar experiences.
I would expect so; it's pretty common among fandom-related cons.
You know how wolves attacking a herd of antelope always focus on bringing down the slow and weak ones? Con staffing is the same way, except that instead of the weak and infirm, we go for the slow and responsible. 
I'm cracking up at all the responses about being volunteers and such. I wonder if my sci-fi con friends have had similar experiences.
(raises hand)
Nah. Once you got the fire going, they were pretty comfortable.
(At least in comparison to becoming food if you were outside the cave, anyway...)
o/~ Let 'em All go to Hell,
Except Cave 76! o/~
Somehow, I can't see myself escaping volunteering at AC this year since I've gotten to work with Kage and Giza over the past few months. They'll spot me a mile away and I'll be abducted.
Lol
I'm going alone. This will only be my second con, and I was only there a few hours on Sunday afternoon at the merch. area last year, but I go out alone all the time, to see bands and such. Babysitters are darned expensive so lots of times I stay home with the kids and husband goes out and then next time, vice-versa, and you know how everyone always has busy schedules, can't always grab a friend to go out with me either. So I'm used to being on my own and striking up conversations. I expect it will be even easier at the con, you have something built-in to start conversations with! "Nice suit, when did you make it, what was your inspiration, what's your character name, where are you from," etc. etc.
Plus going to activities like dances and the masquerade mean you have something to do or watch, not just stand around feeling awkward.
Husband has less than zero interest in anthrocon. He thinks I am the biggest weirdo ever. I can't wait to go and be among my own kind!!! I love weirdos of ALL kinds, but when I went to Anthrocon last year I felt like, "These are MY type of weirdos! I'm home!"
Can't wait to see you all!
Jen
Just so you don't get disappointed, folks in suit aren't always so up for talking while in costume. :] Consider it "spoiling the magic!" Just so you know - I don't want you to be offended if the occasional suiter's not interested in conversation!
Just so you don't get disappointed, folks in suit aren't always so up for talking while in costume. :] Consider it "spoiling the magic!" Just so you know - I don't want you to be offended if the occasional suiter's not interested in conversation!
Good point, thank you Protocollie. I had not even thought of that. Now that you mention it, I bet it would be difficult to talk in a fursuit even if it weren't for the keeping in character sort of thing. I hadn't even thought of the "spoiling the magic" aspect. I don't actually have a "fursona" myself; when I'm dressed up, it's just me, only in a costume. It probably would be more fun to be in character, but I'm just not very creative that way. I'll be sure to respect those who are, and not bother them with trying to make human-style small talk! Thanks for the heads-up.
Jen
"These are MY type of weirdos! I'm home!"
...And THAT is a most excellent summary of why so many of us actually go to AnthroCon!
We accept her! One of us! We accept her! One of us! Gooble gobble, gooble gobble! We accept her! We accept her!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBXyB7niEc0
You'll find AC a very open and friendly place. Tell people you're new and they'll gladly show you around. Hang out in the Zoo, join in group activities. Just be yourself and you'll find yourself amongst friends.
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David M Stein, DI
"Not Unlike the Toaster, I Control the Darkness"
-- Abby Normal, "You Suck"